I grew up around a fair few construction workers, thanks to my dad being a carpenter during most of my childhood (palatial rabbit hutches just one of the perks), but never in all my time have I seen anyone come close to the Japanese equivalent. Each morning I cycle past a group of lads waiting for their lift to work, and as most things in Japan, once you are part of a group you have to adhere to the strict uniform, hair cut, hair colour and general attitude. I can't imagine that the uniform has changed all that much since the days of samurai, as the clothes conjure up images of the past. Baggy trousers, strange-toed slippers, bright ginger-brown hair, and a tan so deep they look French polished. This one is for you dad. Happy Father's Day.
